The Lido Restaurant at the Standard

The Lido—just off the main lobby of the hotel—is a highly designed Scandinavian-style room, but for the ultimate in casual chic, dine beneath the umbrella-covered outdoor tables beside Biscayne Bay. The lunch menu leans toward salads, sandwiches, and grilled shrimp, but dinner is more elaborate. Settle in for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine from chef Eric Ripert, of New York City's Le Bernardin fame. Everything, from the mussels à la Grecque (ouzo-steamed and topped with fresh feta, red peppers, cucumber, and chopped herbs) to snapper ceviche with jalapeño, is equally delicious. Although tables are coveted and dinner reservations are essential, a meal here is never a raucous affair. To sit on the dock overlooking Biscayne Bay is pure peace and quiet, and although the usual South Beach fashionistas do turn up, they behave better in the serene setting.

Signature Dish: Bouillabaisse Lido, a Provençal fish stew with fresh market fish, mussels, and shrimp in a rich saffron and seafood broth.